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Bentley SUV likely close to production; falcon helps with reveal

Development work is underway on a production version of the Bentley EXP 9 F SUV, shown here at the Geneva motor show. Photo by GREG MIGILORE

Bentley is bullish about its prospects for entering the ultraluxury section of the SUV market.

Revealing the EXP 9 F on Tuesday at the Geneva motor show, Bentley chairman Wolfgang Dürheimer called an SUV a natural choice for his company's high-brow customer base. A hybrid option is also likely. The concept runs a W12 powerplant.

The "F" stands for falcon, and the company had a live bird on hand to help with the reveal. It also draws on Bentley's heritage, as a medieval castle with a falconry sits nearby its Crewe headquarters in England.

Officially, the Bentley EXP 9 F is a concept, but the vehicle shown in Geneva appeared well-engineered and production ready. It could arrive in 2015 or 2016.

"While we have not made any final decisions to produce the EXP 9 , we are clearly on our way in R&D," Dürheimer said.

Bentley's ambitious concept--its first show car in years--suggests that it is eying the luxury-SUV market as a way to boost sales and expand the scope of its brand. Bentley is owned by Volkswagen Group, which has been making aggressive sales targets for all its brands in a bid to become the world's largest automaker.